Boreal Elemental MTG Card

Boreal Elemental’s flying creates a solid offense and demands specific defenses. Instant speed ability enhances strategy, increasing opponents’ spell costs. Mana requirements may limit deck diversity and curve optimization.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elemental
Abilities	Flying
Released	2019-07-12
Set symbol
Set name	Core Set 2020
Set code	M20
Power	3
Toughness	4
Number	49
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Victor Adame Minguez

Text of card

Flying Spells your opponents cast that target Boreal Elemental cost more to cast.

Winter's breath given form.

Cards like Boreal Elemental

Boreal Elemental stands as an intriguing creature with flying in the ever-expansive world of Magic: The Gathering, somewhat akin to other creatures like Air Elemental. At a glance, both offer the valuable flying ability allowing them to evade many blockers. However, when looking closer, Boreal Elemental presents a subtle tactical advantage with its ability to make itself more difficult to be targeted by spells your opponents control, demanding an additional cost for them to target it.

Closely related in comparison is the Frost Lynx, which, while lacking flying, brings a different sort of controlling advantage by tapping down creatures when it enters the battlefield. This can disrupt opponents’ plans and manage the board effectively, albeit in a decidedly different manner than the Boreal Elemental’s defensive posture. Meanwhile, Watertrap Weaver provides a similar impact to Frost Lynx, also tapping a creature upon entry, but with the added benefit of keeping the creature tapped for an extra turn, elongating the control exerted over the opponent’s creatures.

Each of these cards delivers utility in their unique rights, with Boreal Elemental favoring players who seek a more defensive aerial strategy, while Frost Lynx and Watertrap Weaver suit those looking to more actively manipulate the battlefield. Their roles within a deck may vary, but Boreal Elemental carves out its niche for players valuing durability and evasion in their winged warriors.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Boreal Elemental’s flying ability can be leveraged to bypass ground-based defenses, providing consistent damage and potential card advantage if paired with cards that reward you for dealing combat damage to a player.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly affecting resources, Boreal Elemental can form a defensive barrier in the air, allowing you to safely build up your mana base and other resources on the board without the constant threat of aerial attacks.

Instant Speed: This card provides a significant edge by having an activated ability that can be used at instant speed, increasing spell cost for your opponents and disrupting their strategy during crucial phases of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Boreal Elemental does not have an inherent discard mechanism but playing it in a deck can mean you’re at a loss for holding onto other potentially beneficial cards due to its specific mana requirements and place in your curve.

Specific Mana Cost: Boreal Elemental requires both generic and blue mana which can be restrictive. Requiring two islands to cast, this card can be a difficult fit in multicolored decks or those that want to maintain a flexible mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana for a 3/4 flying creature, its cost-effectiveness is questionable when compared to other options in the game. Other creatures and spells at a similar or lower cost offer more impactful abilities or stats, potentially making Boreal Elemental a less attractive option for your deck.

Reasons to Include Boreal Elemental in Your Collection

Versatility: Boreal Elemental serves as a formidable inclusion in decks seeking to utilize flying creatures. Its ability to make it harder for opponents to target it with spells can help maintain an aerial advantage in various gameplay circumstances.

Combo Potential: As a creature with flying, the Elemental works well with strategies that capitalize on creatures with evasion. Its synergy with spells or abilities that care about flying types amplifies both offensive and defensive game plans.

Meta-Relevance: Given how flying creatures can be difficult for some decks to deal with, the Boreal Elemental adds value in a meta where flying is not adequately countered. Plus, its particular resistance to targeted spells keeps it safer from common removal, reinforcing its place in many blue-focused control or midrange decks.

How to beat

Boreal Elemental is known for its flying ability, making it a solid defender and an evasive attacker in Magic: The Gathering. With a cost of five mana and the special ability to cost opponents an additional two mana to target it with spells, it certainly brings a resilience aspect to your adversary’s board. However, if your strategy includes creatures with reach or spells that can deal damage without targeting, you’re already on the right path to overcoming the Boreal Elemental’s defences.

Consider utilizing spells like “Cosmic Intervention” or “Pyroclasm” that affect the whole board. Cards like “Giant Spider” provide an affordable and effective creature-based solution with reach. If none of these are in your deck, another approach includes leveraging enchantments that restrict the opponent’s ability to attack such as “Pacifism” or even “Ice Cage”, which cleverly bypass the additional cost of targeting the Boreal Elemental directly. Keep in mind that planning and flexibility are critical, as the Boreal Elemental can become a thorn in your side if not addressed efficiently.

Ultimately, having a balanced deck with a blend of versatile removal options and creatures that can block fliers will ensure that you maintain control over the battlefield, even when faced with formidable flying threats like Boreal Elemental.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Boreal Elemental MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Boreal Elemental and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Boreal Elemental has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Boreal Elemental card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2019-07-12	An opponent’s spell that targets Boreal Elemental more than once costs only more to cast.
2019-07-12	To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you’re paying, add any cost increases (such as that of Boreal Elemental), then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell remains unchanged, no matter what the total cost to cast it was.